[4] Hollingbery's earlier career was spent investing in and starting up businesses, the best known of which was veterinary chain Companion Care, sold to Pets at Home in 2002.

[5] Hollingbery stood in Winchester in the 2005 general election, having managed the previous candidate's campaign in 2001, but was defeated by Liberal Democrat Mark Oaten.

In the 2010 general election, Hollingbery contested the new constituency of Meon Valley in Hampshire, created as a result of boundary changes.

He added he supported Boris Johnson's Brexit withdrawal agreement but wanted to pursue career opportunities outside parliament.

[14] In January 2021 it was announced that Hollingbery would be appointed as Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba with effect from early 2022.